CLINICAL CROWN SIZE RELATIONSHIP AND THE NEED FOR ESTHETIC CROWN LENGTHENING IN PRE- AND POST- ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Excessive gingival display has been a problem in orthodontic patients after completion of treatment. Prevalence information regarding this subject is limited. This pilot study aims to evaluate the size relationships of the clinical crowns of the teeth in pre- and post-orthodontic patients to aid in identification of patients in need of esthetic periodontal surgery.

Methods: Fifty plaster models were evaluated pre and post orthodontically for the crown size of maxillary anterior teeth in both length and width to compare with the ideals. Widths to length (W/L) ratios were also calculated for the maxillary incisors for the need of esthetic gingival re-contouring procedures.

Results: Study revealed significant increase in the length in post orthodontic models compared to pre-orthodontic lengths, but mean length still lagged behind the ideal values. Mean W/L ratio for the central incisors was 92% while 84% of central incisors had W/L ratio >80%

Conclusion: A close collaboration between the orthodontist and the periodontist is important to identify patients in need of periodontal re-contouring as the prevalence of non ideal W/L ratio was >80% in the maxillary central incisors. This study also calls for further research with a larger sample and longer term crown size evaluation.